How Countdown Timers Influence Trust : Mixed-Methods Study in a Local Restaurant Interface

Sammanfattning

This study examined how a countdown timer, used as a scarcity-based persuasive interface element, influenced both click-through behavior and users’ perceptions of trust on a local restaurant website. Using a sequential mixed-methods model consisting of a quantitative A/B test experiment and qualitative semi-structured interviews, the study found that the countdown timer slightly increased click-through rate, although the relationship was not statistically significant. In contrast, the qualitative findings showed that the timer increased perceived urgency and immediate action-readiness while also increased skepticism, pressure, and reduced trust. Overall, the findings suggest that countdown timers may influence users’ perceptions more strongly than their measurable behavior, highlighting the complex relationship between persuasive design, urgency, and digital trust within local digital commerce contexts.